Latest news with #AliFarag
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Squash: Egyptian four-time world champion Ali Farag retires at 33 - Omni sports
Egypt's four-time world champion and former World No.1 Ali Farag has announced his retirement from professional squash with immediate effect, calling time on one of the sport's most decorated careers. The 33-year-old Harvard graduate, who held the World No.1 position for 238 weeks, shared the news in an emotional Instagram reel on Tuesday, saying he was stepping away with 'a full heart, a peaceful mind, and an open soul.' 'I hereby announce my retirement from our beautiful sport,' Farag said. 'It's been long coming ever since COVID really and I've achieved all my goals... Squash has been my passion, my identity and my purpose for as long as I can remember.' Farag's decision comes less than two weeks after he reached his fifth World Championship final in Chicago, where he lost to current World No.1 Mostafa Asal. He retires ranked second in the PSA world rankings. Widely regarded as one of the finest players in squash history, Farag claimed 46 PSA Tour titles, placing him sixth on the all-time men's list. His trophy haul includes four World Championships, four Tournament of Champions titles, three Qatar Classics, and three Egyptian Opens. He also won the British Open and three U.S. Open titles—one of which he famously shared with his wife, fellow squash star Nour El Tayeb, in 2017. Farag's professional career began in 2005 and spanned 553 PSA matches, of which he won 445. He also served as PSA Men's President for four years and was voted by peers for the PSA Spirit of Squash Award seven times over the past eight years. In his farewell message, Farag reflected on his journey, noting the sacrifices made for his family. 'I've missed so many of the milestones that I wanted to be there for—the school pickups, the late-night cuddles, the bedtime stories,' he said. 'I've always believed in balance and I feel like that balance has shifted now.' He also thanked his parents, brother, and coaches—including Karim Darwish and Mike Way—and paid tribute to his wife, whom he called 'the most important person' in his life. Farag concluded his message by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating: 'My heart, like so many others, is with the Palestinian people... May we never let silence be complicity.' The Professional Squash Association (PSA) praised Farag's legacy. 'Ali has been a true ambassador for the sport,' said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. 'He combined incredible athleticism and talent with humility and sportsmanship... His presence on the tour will be deeply missed.' Farag's retirement means he will not compete in next week's British Open in Birmingham. His seeding will be passed on to Peru's Diego Elias, while England's Simon Herbert will move into the main draw. Career highlights: PSA titles: 46 PSA finals: 81 Match wins: 445 Weeks at World No.1: 238 Represented Egypt in four World Team Championships (all wins) Farag ends his career not just as a champion, but as a symbol of professionalism and grace in modern squash. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
World's No. 2 Ali Farag Retires from Pro Squash
Rana Atef Egypt's four-time World Squash Team Champion and former World No.1 Ali Farag announced his retirement from professional squash. Farag, ranked at No.2 in the PSA World Rankings upon his retirement won World Squash Team Championships on four occasions as well as four PSA World Championship titles. Farewell beautiful game… — Ali Farag (@AliFarag) May 28, 2025 His retirement comes five months after helping Egypt clinch a sixth World Squash Team Championship title after a dramatic battle with Mohamed ElShorbagy at Hong Kong Football Club, and two weeks after winning a silver medal at the PSA World Championships in Chicago. Farag spent 238 weeks at World No.1 between March 2019 – March 2025 and won 46 PSA Squash Tour titles throughout his career, which puts him sixth on the all-time men's winners list. Since making his PSA debut in 2005, Farag played in 81 PSA finals, with a 57 % win rate, while he won 445 of his 553 matches on the PSA Squash Tour. He is the fifth longest-serving men's World No.1 after Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Peter Nicol and Geoff Hunt. Farag was a vital part of the Egypt squad that captured a historic double at the 2024 World Squash Team Championships 'I always knew this day would come and I knew it would be very emotional. And it is, but in a good way,' Farag said. 'It's been a long time coming. Ever since Covid, really. When I'd achieved all my goals, I always thought 'What's next for me?' 'Squash been my passion, my identity and my purpose for as long as I can remember, but there was always another part of me, a family man. Now, I'm a husband and a father to two beautiful young girls, one about to turn four and the other born three months ago. I've missed so many of the milestones that I wanted to be there for: the school pickups, the late-night cuddles, the bedtime stories. All of those things that pass too quickly when you're always chasing the next flight, the next match, the next tournament. 'I've always believed in balance, and I feel like the balance has shifted now. This is what I want the next chapter to be. 'I'm walking away at the perfect time. Squash is in a place it has never been and the level is higher than ever in the men's and women's game. Even if I'm not playing, you can count on me always being there as a fan, a supporter and someone who will always love this game.' World Squash President Zena Wooldridge paid tribute to Farag, saying: 'Ali exits the game having earned the respect and admiration of the global squash community and beyond. 'Besides being one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, it is perhaps his grace on and off court that will be most fondly remembered. World Squash, and all who love our sport, owe Ali an enormous debt of gratitude for everything he has done for squash and I wish him the very best of luck in the next chapter of his life.' read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Tahya Masr
21-04-2025
- Business
- Tahya Masr
Mostafa Asal and Nouran Gohar Crowned Champions of the 13th Edition of El Gouna International Squash Open 2025
The 13th edition of the PSA Platinum El Gouna International Squash Open came to a thrilling close at the Gouna International Conference and Cultural Center. In a fierce all-Egyptian final, World No. 1 Mostafa Asal secured the men's title after a hard-fought battle against World No. 2 Ali Farag, with a final score of 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5. On the women's side, Nouran Gohar, also ranked World No. 1, claimed her third consecutive El Gouna International Squash Open title, defeating World No. 5 Amina Orfi in four games: 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7. The week-long tournament was packed with energy and excitement, drawing a large audience and featuring top-tier competition among 64 players from 20 countries. With a total prize worth $400,000, the event reaffirmed its status as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the global squash calendar. This year's PSA Platinum El Gouna International Squash Open was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Egyptian Tourism Authority. The tournament was supported by its official sponsor, Commercial International Bank (CIB) – Egypt, the main sponsor of squash in the country, with Carrier and Tuban as platinum sponsors, BMW as the official automotive partner, and CI Capital as a silver sponsor. Additional partners included Orange Egypt as the telecommunications partner, Logic Consulting as the strategic advisor, and Catering 360 as the official food and beverage partner. The event was once again expertly organized by ievents, solidifying its reputation as a leader in managing major sports events in Egypt. Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna, congratulated the winners and wished all participants the best of luck in upcoming tournaments. He also expressed his pride in successfully hosting the tournament for the 13th consecutive year, highlighting El Gouna's ability to organize world-class sports events. He added, "I congratulate the winners on their outstanding performance; this year's El Gouna International Squash Open was an exceptional event by all standards, featuring high-level competition and thrilling, energetic atmospheres. We are proud to host this prestigious event for the 13th year and look forward to continuing this success in the coming years, wishing all players further challenges and achievements." Amr Mansi, CEO of ievents and founder of the PSA Platinum El Gouna International Squash Open, emphasized the significant impact of the tournament in promoting squash both globally and locally. He said, "From the very beginning, our goal has been to deliver a world-class sporting event that showcases Egypt's ability to host major events. Today, after 13 years of success, we are proud that the El Gouna tournament has become one of the most important international competitions, attracting squash enthusiasts from all over the world. At ievents, we remain committed to providing an exceptional experience with the highest level of professionalism and supporting players on their journey to excellence. We are excited about the future, especially with preparations underway for squash's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games." The inclusion of squash in the 2028 Olympic Games marks a significant step toward enhancing the sport's global stature. In this context, the PSA Platinum El Gouna International Squash Open plays a key role in providing exceptional opportunities for professional players worldwide. The tournament has become one of the premier events in the squash world, attracting top players from all corners of the globe. Over the years, it has witnessed participation from numerous elite athletes, making it more than just a sporting event. It plays a vital role in the development of the sport and fosters greater competition, positioning it as a crucial step toward increasing squash's presence on the global sports agenda in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games. It is worth mentioning that El Gouna stands out as the ideal destination for hosting major international tournaments. As one of Egypt's leading sustainable tourism hubs, the town offers a unique blend of environmental responsibility and state-of-the-art infrastructure that supports sports tourism—especially water sports. With six specialized kite surfing centers, nine diving centers, and a sailing club, El Gouna has become a key venue for both local and international sports events. The town also features a wide array of facilities that enable the smooth organization of world-class tournaments, complemented by top-tier accommodation options across 18 globally recognized hotels. These elements collectively reinforce El Gouna's position as a fully integrated tourism destination and underline Egypt's capability to host the world's most prestigious events .
See - Sada Elbalad
03-03-2025
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
Ali Farag, Nouran Gohar Top Int'l PSA Rankings for 1st Week in March 2025
On Monday, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) announced the international rankings for the first week in March. Egyptian squash star Ali Farag kept his position at the top of the men's rankings for the 91st consecutive week, while Egypt's Nouran Gohar remained at the top of the women's rankings for the 13th week. For men, Mostafa Asal came second. Mazen Hesham's ranking dropped to 9th place, and Karim Abdel Gawad's ranking improved to 8th. Tarek Momen remained in the 7th. For women, El Sherbiny remained at No.2. Hania El Hammamy remained in third place. Amina Orfi kept her spot as the 8th, and Rawan Al Arabi remained 9th.
See - Sada Elbalad
24-02-2025
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
Ali Farag, Nouran Gohar Top Int'l PSA Rankings for Final Week in Feb 2025
On Monday, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) announced the international rankings for the final week in February. Egyptian squash star Ali Farag kept his position at the top of the men's rankings for the 90th consecutive week, while Egypt's Nouran Gohar remained at the top of the women's rankings for the 12th week. For men, Mostafa Asal came second. Mazen Hesham came 6th place, followed by Tarek Momen in the 7th, and Karim Abdel Gawad came 9th. For women, El Sherbiny remained at No.2. Hania El Hammamy remained in third place. Amina Orfi kept her spot as the 7th, and Rawan Al Arabi remained 8th.
